I'm new to the 4x4 world and just bought a bone stock LJ a few months ago. I'm working on making it mine and looking for a good shop around the St. Louis area to install 4.88 gears and Truetrac LSDs in my D30 & D44. I am willing to travel a few hours (150ish miles) for the right shop. I really like doing my own work but this job is a bit to much for me. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Its not that they are inexperienced, its that they take their time and do a thorough job. They apparently treat jeeps like Ferrari's.

Sorry, there is no way it should take that long to set up gears. I know it takes time to get everything just right (carrier & pinion preload, back lash and correct pattern) but with the proper tools (clam shell puller, setup bearings, case spreader, etc) and daily experience you should be fired if you take 16 hours.

Not only that, but they basically double the labor quote when I decided to add a locker. That is complete BS, the labor should be cheaper if anything because you don't have to pull the bearings or gears off the old carrier. This is what really turned me off from them. They must assume you have no idea what is involved and charge additional labor for no reason which is dishonest and not somewhere I want to take my business.

I obviously won't be taking my vehicle to them so I can't comment on their quality of work, but with rates like theirs you better have the money for a Ferrari.